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Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has asked India to adopt the course of dialogue for peace and progress in the region instead of resorting to provocative statements and ceasefire violations. — AFP/File photo

MUZAFFARABAD: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has asked India to adopt the course of dialogue for peace and progress in the region instead of resorting to provocative statements and ceasefire violations.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Gen Bajwa made the suggestion to India’s civilian and military leadership during a visit to the restive Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Wednesday.

Gen Bajwa pointed out that lately there had been a surge in ceasefire violations by India and rhetoric of provocative statements by its military leadership.

“We are a professional and combat hardened army ready to defend our motherland … It would be better if they [India] realise this and place their stock in peace and progress through dialogue,” he said.

Earlier, the general officer commanding of the area updated the army chief on the situation prevailing along the Line of Control, including ceasefire violations by Indian troops and Pakistan Army’s response to it.

Gen Bajwa also interacted with the troops on the occasion and appreciated their state of readiness and morale.

He praised the resilience of the civilian Kashmiri population being deliberately targeted by the Indian forces on both sides of the LoC.

It was Gen Bajwa’s second visit to the heavily militarised dividing line in AJK’s southernmost Bhimber district in less than a month, amid unrelenting ceasefire violations by the Indian army in a serious breach of November 2003 truce between the two countries.

The ceasefire violations have been frequently causing civilian casualties.

On Tuesday, two girls were injured in Haveli district in unprovoked firing by the Indian army, raising the number of injured persons to 153 and those of the dead to 27 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the ongoing year alone.

In his last visit to Bhimber district on Oct 25, Gen Bajwa had made it clear that Pakistan Army’s belief in peace and stability should not be misconstrued, as troops were fully prepared and determined to defend the country.

Apart from that, he has also been giving an unequivocal message to India that Kashmir was the core issue and would have to be resolved between India and Pakistan in accordance with the United Nation resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people for a lasting peace in the region.

Comments (35) Closed

Make some ground work first. Build confidence and trust. Then only situation become favour for talks.

Praying for peaceful south asia.

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Star

Nov 23, 2018 09:21am

Sure general !!!

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Umair

Nov 23, 2018 09:34am

It would be good if Peace prevailed in South Asia

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Rashid

Nov 23, 2018 09:37am

India had to open Kartarpur after Pakistan initiative and now proceed to bring peace to open up economies of south Asian countries
EU countries have resolved their world war issues and now it is time to evolve and embrace humanity
It is a moral think to do and we Asian countries deserve peace and happiness for future generation and stop making past excuses

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BhaRAT

Nov 23, 2018 09:41am

Pakistan have offered to open the kartarpur corridor like as If it’s nothing on the other hand India announce it to the world after granting medical visas to patients just show you the mentality of both the countries

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AW

Nov 23, 2018 09:44am

General Bajwa’s offer is bold and seems sincere. His leadership statement should leave no doubt that Pakistan wants peace and normal relations with India. Now let us see if Indian leadership has the vision and courage to accept the olive branch for the better future of the 1.5 billion people of the subcontinent

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BhaRAT

Nov 23, 2018 09:44am

Welcome to my hometown general sahaab

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mr.parki

Nov 23, 2018 09:54am

first improve your economy,

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shankar

Nov 23, 2018 10:15am

If you remain hung up on Kashmir, Pakistan's economy would never improve.

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Robert

Nov 23, 2018 10:35am

What about starting a new conversation, General Saheb ? You know dialogue wont happen.

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Tony Singh

Nov 23, 2018 10:52am

Bajwa who?

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NPS

Nov 23, 2018 10:52am

Kashmir may be a core issue for Pakistan, but India regarded it as an internal matter.

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CSK ( India )

Nov 23, 2018 11:26am

Please allow Civilian Government to speak .. !!

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Najma Hisham

Nov 23, 2018 11:35am

too many mixed signals from both sides is not working.

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NP

Nov 23, 2018 11:42am

Pakistani sentiments about Kashmir have no taker in India. Kashmir issue remains a backburner, because the next national election in India is around the corner. For present BJP Government the priority remains economy progress. Pakistan should do the same, bring first your economy in order, the rest would happen simultaneously.

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Anand Gupta

Nov 23, 2018 11:51am

Seems he understands better than IK in terms of India’s advance strategy and upcoming projects with USA in the region.

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TechScribe

Nov 23, 2018 12:07pm

Just figure out a way of not provoking one another. This will give peace a chance on the borders.

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Sweets

Nov 23, 2018 12:21pm

@Rashid , you idea of world is not relevant neither is Ur country in world politics and economics

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Indian Common man

Nov 23, 2018 12:31pm

The common man in India wants to see that people who have harmed India are brought to justice. Start from there and win over our hearts.
India is trying to make friends with all countries in the world, why not Pakistan?

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Chinaman

Nov 23, 2018 12:40pm

Who are you to ask? Don't you have an elected govt?

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Akram

Nov 23, 2018 01:18pm

@Tony Singh, “Bajwa who ?”

The same Bajwa who decided to open Kartarpur corridor so Singhs like you can have unhindered access to their holy site. Very same Bajwa.

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The real salaria

Nov 23, 2018 01:41pm

@shankar,

That's what india precisely wants

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divakar

Nov 23, 2018 02:08pm

@AW, : vision and courage are the two words which seem to haven been taught to you.

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Kalia

Nov 23, 2018 02:35pm

@Chinaman, it is elected by the establishment and the whole world knows it.

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UDAYA BOSE

Nov 23, 2018 03:59pm

What's in it for India? We are getting along fine.

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Pervez

Nov 23, 2018 04:26pm

Shouldn’t this be the job of our Foreign Minister?

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Mian

Nov 23, 2018 04:27pm

Open the corridor. Talking etc is different matter. Do what you are told to first.

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TechScribe

Nov 23, 2018 04:41pm

The need of the hour is Pakistan's civilian and military leadership coming together and talking to India. Take a few confidence-building measures and stick by them. That'll automatically pave way for a stronger relationship.

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Shah

Nov 23, 2018 05:16pm

@NP, How about the Kashmiri sentiments? Sentiments of those who have lost their loved ones? Sentiments of those who have been blinded by pellet guns? Sentiments of those who have been raped by the security forces? Sentiments of those who have been tortured and killed?